First year head coach Penny Hardaway’s Memphis team has gotten off to quite the hectic start. Losing to LSU, and outlasting Yale in a double overtime thriller. Oklahoma State lost their opener to an underrated Charlotte squad, since then, they’ve found their identity as a defensive stalwart and a smooth shooting group. Lindy Waters runs the show for the cowboys, as their court general, he sharesthe sugar graciously with one of the best catch and shoot guys in the nation in Thomas Dziagwa. Hardaway can counteract Waters with All-conference guard Jeremiah Martin, who’s a solid two-way player. Memphis also returned leading rebounder and second leading scorer Kyvon Davenport, an effective post threat. This game will be up down and is filled with stellar athletes, the x-factor is if the Cowboys can contain Freshman Tyler Harris, whose exploded over the last two games.

Oklahoma State 77 Memphis 74

Texas vs #5 North Carolina

Tv:FS1 5:30 pt

Line: UNC -7o/u 153

Here’s a matchup of not only traditionally solid teams, but this year, they’re both undefeated. The Longhorns’ record is a little misleading however, they’ve had to edge out wins against lowly programs like Eastern Illinois and Louisiana Monroe.

Nonetheless, they have a solid post presence with Dylan Osetkowski, and a reliable leader and scorer in Kerwin Roach II. Per usual, the Tar Heels have talent in masses, with an electric true freshman duo in Nassir Little and Coby White; and who could forget walk-on turned All-American Luke Maye? The Heels have steamrolled their competition thus far, but there’s something tellin me Texas will play up. This won’t be an upset by the Horns, but they sure will scare the hell out of Roy Williams.

Texas 79 #5 North Carolina 88

#11 Michigan State vs #17 UCLA

Tv:FS18 pt

Line:UCLA +6o/u 159.5

Experience vs Starpower, that’s what this matchup entails. UCLA is stocked with high rated recruits and guys listed all over draft boards, whereas the Spartans go 7 deep with upperclassmen and have already established themselves as a solid team. This game basically boils down to whether or not the Bruins will play solid team basketball, you know Michigan State will. Sparty is battle tested, losing a close game to #2 Kansas, Matt McQuaid and Cassius Winston have seen it all and they’re the teams’ undeniable leaders. UCLA on the other hand, has allowed teams like Long Beach State to stick around all game and has shown dysfunction moving the ball around. Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands will have NBA scouts looking this game, it’s up to them, after underperforming as a whole last season to see if they can bounce back, today, I don’t think they’ll do that.